Cobra Adze

Rating

Description

The ultimate carbon fiber tool for leashless mixed, ice and alpine climbing, the Black Diamond Cobra provides unparalleled performance from the crags to the Karakoram. The Cobra features a lightweight shaft that provides precise, technical swings and offers the most clearance of any of our tools-all without sacrificing balance or axis of rotation.

The Cobras perform brilliantly on big routes and ice falls, with even better looks. The fact that they're the weapon of choice for the likes of Simon Anthamatten and Colin Haley speaks for itself. Are they worth €300? To be brutally honest, probably not. The Cobra is in essence, a slightly more snazzy version of the Viper with slight differences in performance, but not justifying the 100 quid price difference. However, for all you gear freaks with money lying around or for those who are good at seeking out discounts, the Cobra is a brilliant all round mountain axe!

For an all-arounder, the Cobra is among the very best. The more extreme shafts shapes and grips, such as those of the Petzl Ergo and Black Diamond Fusion are better for leashless climbing on vertical ice, and much better when the climbing is steeper than vertical, but for slabby ice, alpine routes and some vert, the Cobra dominates. I only wish that the picks weren't so expensive.

I gave the Cobra five out of five stars because it has held up to a lot of abuse and is one of the best and most versatile ice tools I have used.

How to use Black Diamond ice tool and ice axe correctly, warnings, care, maintenance, transportation, inspection, lifespan and retirement with instructional pictures. Note: This is page two of document for instruction in foreign languages, page one has English instruction.

How to use Black Diamond ice tool and ice axe correctly, warnings, care, maintenance, transportation, inspection, lifespan and retirement with instructional pictures. Note: This is page one of document for English instruction, page two has instruction in other languages.